Sing-A-Long to Prince's Purple Rain at MASS MoCA

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Even though it has been 25 years since Purple Rain premiered, for most people the award-winning score is as memorable and singable now as it was the first time they heard it. For those who enjoy belting out Prince classics such as When Doves Cry, Let's Go Crazy or the film's title song Purple Rain, Thursday, August 13, will be a night not to miss under the stars at MASS MoCA.  At 8:30 P.M. in Courtyard C (or moving inside in case rain threatens) this screening of Purple Rain will feature karaoke-style lyrics to help anyone who needs a refresher. Costumes are encouraged.

The award-winning film and soundtrack have been critically acclaimed since the movie premiered in 1984. All Movie Guide says "[Purple Rain] is very entertaining and features an absolutely terrific musical score, one of the few to cop both an Oscar and a Grammy. Basically a fast-moving, carefully crafted music video, Purple Rain is fun...". Contact Movie Review elaborates on the "sexiness" of the film "Just try to take your eyes off the 25-year-old Prince as he flaunts his unmatchable musical talent and raw sex appeal, blasting his way through the best soundtrack of the '80s. Fast forward through the talking bits, and you've got one of the best concert DVDs ever filmed."

Purple Rain, the film, premiered in conjunction with Prince's Purple Rain album. The Minneapolis-based film develops as a fictional autobiographical look at the life of an '80s icon. The Kid (Prince) is working to make it big with his band The Revolution. Teenage angst, romantic relationships, musical rivals and self-reflection are predominant themes throughout the film. The Kid's relationship with Apollonia deepens as music rival Morris Day uses his wit to tempt her away. Reflections of his father's alcoholic behavior mesh with the teenage angst as he works to make it big in the Twin Cities.
 
Purple Rain Sing-A-Long is part of MASS MoCA's Thursday night film series which starts on August 6, with Iron Mule Short Comedy Film Festival and continues after Purple Rain with the Found Footage Festival on August 20, and the second Sing-A-Long film Labyrinth on August 27.

Tickets for Purple Rain Sing-A-Long are $10  (or get the fourth movie free if you buy tickets to three Thursday night movies.) MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located off Marshall Street in North Adams, open from 10 A.M. until 6 P.M., everyday. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or purchased on line at www.massmoca.org
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Companion Corner Grey Boy at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's a cat No Paws Left Behind still waiting for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. He was previously highlighted but he now has new information.

Grey Boy is 10 years old and is a gray and white domestic shorthair and was previously highlighted on Companion Corner.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him and his long journey to be ready for adoption.

"He's been here a couple months. He was a transfer from a rescue in Bennington. They were out of space, so we had taken him in with a few other cats. So he's been here a couple months. He came in with what we believed was a respiratory infection," she said. "So it took us a little bit to get him ready, and then he also needed a dental. So he has nice, clean teeth. He had some teeth removed, and then he has to go back in and have one more dental. So he'll be all ready to go."

It was previously thought that he has feline herpes but he was recently diagnosed with a palette fracture because of how bad his dental disease was, which is what is causing his sneezing. He can now go home with cats, a cat-savvy dog and children.

"He has had two dentals since being with us. Due to the palate fracture he will be sneezy for the rest of his life, not contagious sneezing, but that doesn’t stop him from living a perfectly happy life. He should be on wet food with chunks due to this and since he has had many teeth removed," Howland said.

Grey Boy loves to play with toys and enjoy treats. He would also love to have a window to lounge or bird-watch in.

"He is not afraid of anything. He's very curious, so I'm sure he'd love if you have windows for him to look out of. He still plays, even though he's 10 it does not stop him. So any home would be a good fit for him."

Now that he is ready to be adopted, he is excited. When you walk into the room with him he will rub up against your leg introducing himself and asking to be pet.

"Usually, I would say, when you're walking, he'll bonk into you so he might catch you off guard a little bit. He constantly is rubbing against you," Howland said. "He really, I would say he's lazy when you want him to be, and he's active when you want him to be. He'll play with toys. He's usually lounging away. And then when he comes out he'll play. He loves it. So, very friendly, easy going cat."

He is now perfectly healthy with his dentals all done and veterinary care up to date and is ready to find his forever family.

"I would say the friendliest, easiest cat you could have. He's just, he's just gonna be a little sneezy sometimes, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything," she said.

Grey Boy's adoption fee is sponsored by Rooted in Balance Counseling LLC.

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